A Deconstructed Santa.....

 Santa has all his "bling" now and has been cut apart and trimmed up. Now to add all his accoutrements.....lots of 'fiddly' work to come, though I may omit some of it. I just want to get him done at this point!!!

I realized I hadn't shared a photo of Jax on his 1st birthday. He is thriving and such a happy little guy. We are so blessed and thankful for him coming into our family.....he is a true bundle of joy!!!

Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!

Stasi

A Dreary Sunday......

 It's a dark, dreary day today...as my photos will attest to....but....perfect for some finishing. I finished stitching the last of the gifts I've been working on and my Santa is nearing the finish line. He needs beads added and to be put together.

I attended two Guild meetings yesterday, via Zoom, and started my next Prairie Schooler Santa.

The first meeting was with the Delaware Historical Sampler Guild and was a stitch in; we chatted and stitched away. The second was with the Western Reserve Sampler Guild where they had a presentation by Katie Strachin. OMG, she is a wonder!!! I had heard about her floss tube but never checked it out. I don't watch a lot of floss tube, but I think that is about to change. Katie does  historically based needlework, but adds her own bit of style. Her projects take years to complete, but are true works of art. She gave us a short talk on caskets and then shared her own work. I was blown away!!! She uses a lot of stump work, needle lacing, gold work etc. using fibers I have never heard of....very 3-D.  It is waaaaay beyond me but I can certainly appreciate all her labors, research and execution. She is very knowledgeable and a delight to listen to. Here is a link to her website if you'd like to stop by and drool:

https://katie-strachan.com/
 
I am so thankful that many of these sampler guilds have continued using the zoom format after covid. They offer many opportunities to participate when you are not local...both classes and presentations. I think I belong to 5 now.

I hope you enjoy the rest of the Memorial Day weekend. Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!

Stasi

Home Again, Home Again.....

 We are back from a quick three day trip to visit my parents. They closed on their old house yesterday and we wanted to be there in case there were any snafus...luckily not. They are settling in to their new place....not totally thrilled but getting there. Their agent had her mother paint a watercolor of their house as a thank you gift. I thought that was so sweet..and it's a great rendering!

 

Before I left I finished this little needle book from the Violets and Verses retreat I attended on line the beginning of the year. I kept it simple...the less is more philosophy.

My in car project, for the last few months, has been this Santa from Brookes Books. I think it's time to bring him in house as I need to add beads and assemble. There are a few more tiny additions I still need to do....he definitely needs a beard!!! LOL

While in the Baltimore area, we visited good friends who we've been trying to see since the first of the year. We had a nice lunch at their house and finally  exchanged our Christmas gifts. And boy was mine worth waiting for!!! They gave me a beautiful...and useful....sewing box. The fabrics are so my colors and there is a plethora of sewing tools inside. It is impeccably made and I'm trying to track down the maker. 

 Hopefully I can share one of the gifts I recently made for a friend soon. I'm still working one one last one.

Hope you have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend and kick off to the summer. Please remember our fallen veterans who gave their all for our freedoms. Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship. 

Stasi

A Busy Weekend.....702

 I hope you all had a nice weekend. We had truly lovely weekend, weather wise. I stitched out on our porch and it was heavenly. I don't often do that in the warmer months, as it is usually too hot for me. 

I got a lot of finishing accomplished but, sadly, can't share at this point. I will when the recipients receive their gifts. What I can share is my little camp badge attached to my project bag. I just iron these on with Heat n Bond--easy peasy!

I picked out my project for June of Summer Camp.....The Sowing Sampler by Notforgotten Farm. The requirement is that your project has a bird on it...I think I have that covered...there are 4 birds! LOL I am ready but can't officially start until June 1st.

 I love the saying, and colors, on this piece:

My Linen is My Soil

My Needle is My Plow

My Threads are My Seeds

And My Words I Do Sow. "

Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!

Stasi

A Little Finish and Some Progress......

 

First, I had to laugh at myself that I hadn't noticed that I didn't change my perennial calendar from April to May until this morning. Duh!!!

 I finished my camp badge for Summer Cross Stitch Camp with the Colorado Stitcher. I made the bird blue instead of pink, but otherwise pretty much kept to the called for DMC colors. I will be attaching it to my camp project bag. Now I just have to decide on what my project will be for June; it needs to be a pattern with a bird on it. Stitched over one on 29 ct. Glenshee linen. I love Glenshee linen and wish it was still around.

 

I worked a bit more on Be a Friend by Needlework Press. I'm doing it over one with Hand Dyed Fiber silks.

 A quiet weekend ahead...and that's fine with me...... hope to get some finishing done. Wishing you a wonderful weekend doing what you love.

Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship.

Stasi

 

Catching Up.....

 Yesterday was a busy day! We had unexpected guests, my nephew and his family, spend the night Wednesday on their way to the beach. It was a pleasure to have them visit but threw us into a bit of a tail spin. Then we had sports events for both of the grandsons...baseball and soccer...last evening. luckily they were home games and only 5 minutes from our house.

No stitching to share...no time...but I did manage to squeak in a trip to Hobby Lobby, just to wander the aisles. I haven't really been anywhere except the doctor and my daughters in two weeks. It was nice to enjoy the beautiful day. I did pick up a few items that were on sale.

The boards are about 3 x 4"

Before I got sick in NC, I managed to visit a couple thrift stores with my daughter and picked up a few goodies. I wasn't sure what the first "hoop" was but found out it's for quilting along the edge of a quilt. I was drawn to the fabric AND it was only $4.50.

 

 A cool pair of spools...about 12" tall.

 

A pair of spring tension hoops. I've never used these and not sure I'm going to like them. The space between the handles doesn't get tight. Am I missing something???

 

I wasn't able to attend the grand reopening of Salty Yarns in April, but a friend of mine picked up a few items for me.
 

Aren't these Salty Yarns M&M's adorable---not sure I can eat them!!!

Last but not least.....a friend sent me this lovely bouquet for Mother's Day. Can you believe it is paper??? It is amazingly realistic! After I got it, I sent one to my Mom!

 

Thanks to all who commented on my post yesterday and sorry I couldn't respond to those who are "no reply bloggers' or Anonymous. I do appreciate your comments, but sadly have no way to contact you individually.

Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!

Stasi

Where to Begin.....

 When last I posted, over a month ago, we had gotten my parents moved and were recuperating at home and preparing for a trip to NC for Jax's first birthday. Luckily, we made it through his birthday celebration but by the end of the week I was pretty sick with what we thought was the flu. We were supposed to babysit for the weekend while my daughter and hubby went away on their first solo trip in a year. Well, I wound up spending three days in bed while Rich took care of the little guy. We drove home on Monday, straight to the ER. Turns out I had a UTI run amok.....none of the usual symptoms...that had gotten into my bloodstream causing sepsis. Luckily, they were able to treat me at home with antibiotics, but his really wiped me out. I didn't pick up a needle for 10 days, I was so tired and feeling really crappy. I'm just glad we caught it, because I've been told that can go from bad to worse very quickly. I am happily on the mend, back to stitching and up for a blog post.

Now on to my stitching news.....I have been working on some birthday gifts, so can't share them at this time. But I have still managed to get in some small pieces. I finished another Prairie Schooler Santa (2009) and he will go in this green box with five others.

Stitched on 40 ct Dirty Newcastle linen (over 2) with Sulky and Anchor flosses

Then, I took the polar plunge and did the polar bear by Hands on Design. I think I'm going to do these for the grands this year. 

Stitched on 32 ct. mystery blue linen with DMC and Anchor flosses

I'm going to participate in the Colorado Stitcher Summer Camp again this year, so have been working on picking out my projects and stitching the camp badge. This is a fun 'virtual' camp...no pressure! If you're interested you can check it out here: Summer Cross Stitch Camp

 

I came home from my parents with a couple of treasures. First is a piece I made for my grandmother back in the 70's. I think I need to reframe...don't you???

 Then, this is the gift my great grandmother gave to my parents for their wedding over 72 years ago. It's made from tiny hand painted sea shells. Relatives tell me I got my love for needlework from Grannie Duke as she was a wonderful seamstress. I am glad to have something she made in my possession. Here is a photo I have of her.

 

That's all she wrote, folks! Hope all is well with each and every one of you. A special thanks to those of you who checked on me during my absence. I will try to get back on the posting wagon!!! Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship.

Stasi